Oxholm, Peter Lotharius
1799

Rare antique map of the Caribbean island of St. Croix slavery

St. Croix Optaget af General Oxholm. Havnen ved Christianstaed efter Hr. Capt. Rohde. Faroandet udenfor efter Hr. A. Lang

DESCRIPTION: Rare, highly detailed and accurate map of the Caribbean island of St. Croix by Peter Oxholm. Dated 1799 per the Royal Danish Library. Only two recorded copies in WorldCat, one at Bibliothèque nationale de France.

This second edition of Oxholm's map is updated with details for Christiansted Harbor after a survey by Captain Rohde. Table at top left in Danish and English with population statistics for Whites, Coloreds, and Negros. Denotes locations of the numerous windmills and horse-powered mills as well as cotton plantations ("bomulds plantage") on St. Croix. In spite of his strong advocacy for slavery Oxholm was concerned about poor living conditions of the slaves.

Dissected and laid to linen when issued. Library hand stamp from 1815 at top right.

Peter Lotharius Oxholm
(1753-1827)

P. L. Oxholm embarked on a career as an officer in the Danish military. As a 24 year-old Lieutenant Oxholm was sent to the West Indies from 1777 until 1780 to map the island but politics got the best of him:

"Oxholm also sent reports back home about the situation in the colony – going around the Governor-General. The co-operation with the local authorities reached a deadlock and Oxholm’s expenses soared, and after two years Oxholm was called back home. In August 1780, he was able to hand in a detailed report of no less than 127 pages, including 30 detailed maps and drawings sketching the islands." (2)

After a time back home Oxholm returned to St. Croix as a planter, and a slave owner. Later, Oxholm served as the Governor-General of the Danish West Indies from 1815 until 1816, his term prematurely curtailed due to deteriorating health conditions.

Oxholm's legacy predominantly revolves around his remarkable contributions to West Indies cartography. He was particularly known for the creation of comprehensive and accurate maps. Oxholm's cartographic repertoire included detailed maps of prominent Caribbean Island locations such as St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. He actively proposed advancements to ameliorate the living conditions in the Danish colony in the West Indies, reflecting his steadfast commitment to the welfare of the colony and its inhabitants.

(1) " Charte over den Danske Øe St Croix i America, forfærdiget i Aaret 1794 og udgivet i Aaret 1799 af P. L. Oxholm, Oberst af Infanteriet."
(2) Peter Lotharius Oxholm: a "watchful eye" on the West Indies. https://www.virgin-islands-history.org.